I had been feeling a bit peaky before setting out on my journey to Gettysburg, but I was determined. I went ahead and made the trip.

Since Jenni, my usual traveling partner, was away in Europe, I was forced to rise to the occasion (okay, I admit it, I’m spoiled), getting the rental car in Baltimore, calculating the route to Gettysburg (God bless Google Maps), making the relatively short drive to my favorite Pennsylvania town. I spent the first night at the Gettysburg Hotel, a favorite place to stay when I visit, and had supper at the Pub, which is just across the street. So far, so good. I slept well and, the next morning, headed for Gettysburg College to register for the Civil War Institute. I was given paper work and keys to the dorm–ah, the dorm. Therein, my friends, lies a tale.

In my younger years, I was an adventurous traveler. I once flew to Bangkok, checked into a hotel, and flew on to Chang Mai bright and early the next morning, to ride elephants–pretty good, when you consider that a year before that, I had never driven myself to an airport OR to the local mall. I have hauled luggage up and down stairs in Rome’s train station, sailed on the Sea of Galilee, caught a glimpse of Princess Diana on a London street, ridden battered buses up (and down) narrow, winding mountain roads in Costa Rica, seen prostitutes dance in the storefront windows of Amsterdam. Those were the days.

It often escapes me that I have aged. That being the case, I didn’t give a second thought to the word ‘dorm’ in the Institute’s materials. How bad could it be? I paid a little extra for a ‘private room’ in a suite with a kitchen. Since I graduated from high school, I have been what you might call self-educated. I didn’t get around to going to college for a variety of reasons.

I found my dorm room and, okay, I was a little taken aback by how small it was. I figured most prison cells are probably more spacious, but what the heck. I was on an adventure. There was no elevator, it was hot and humid, and if there is air-conditioning in the dorm, I could not detect it. The bed was low and narrow, with a foam mattress about six inches thick. I had a closet and a desk and ONE electrical outlet. (I must admit, this surprised me, given that today’s college student typically arrives with a wide range of electronic equipment in need of regular recharging.) I brought up one suitcase, as my larger one was so heavy, I couldn’t wrap my brain around the concept of getting it up those stairs. I decided I would leave it in the car and get fresh clothes as needed. (What? No bellmen? No room service? No coffeepot? Hey, I told you I’m spoiled!)

I made up the little bed with its ill-fitting sheets and dashed to Walmart for the other things that are implied by the term ‘dorm’–towels, a private supply of Kleenex, etc. I purchased two pairs of shorts as well, knowing I would not survive the Pennsylvania heat in my ranch-wear–jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. At 4 o’clock, I attended the orientation program. Afterward, I went to dinner with my dear friends, Joe and Janet Wahl and Sandy Pennesse. It was after I’d crawled into bed that the malaise kicked in in earnest. I tossed and turned, coughing, my chest aching, unable to breathe well when I was lying flat. I woke after a (very) fitful night lying on the bare plastic mattress cover, with the sheets twisted every which way. (Did I mention that, for five women, there was one toilet and one shower stall?) And that is when it hit me: Cowgirl, you are definitely sick.

I grabbed what might have been the last available hotel room in Gettysburg, this being the high season for tourists. Then I packed up and left the dorm, heading back downtown. It was too early to check into the new room, and I needed breakfast, sick or not. After eating, I texted Sandy, who immediately came and gathered me up, took me to Urgent Care, sat with me throughout the two-hour wait to be seen. I was given meds and told what I already knew: if I tried to attend the classes I’d planned on, I risked 1) infecting the several hundred other participants and 2) getting much, much sicker than I already was. I was too ill to make the long trip home, even if I could have changed my tickets. Sandy and I picked up my prescriptions and met Janet and Joe for lunch. I was really flagging by then, but I enjoyed the food and the company. Do you know what those kind people did for me? Sandy and Janet drove me straight to the hotel, made sure I got checked in, and told me to REST and text them if I needed anything at all. Joe, meanwhile, God bless him forever, fetched my car from a lot on the other side of town, drove it to the hotel, AND carried all my baggage upstairs. Just more proof of my belief that God looks after us in every situation, if we ask. I had my own crew of guardian angels: Sandy, Janet and Joe.

After a night in a real bed, with sheets that stayed put, not to mention a nice bath, I felt a bit better. Yes, I would miss my classes, but I was still in Gettysburg, after all, and that is a place I love to be. Sometimes, you just have to ‘cut your losses and run’, as my old daddy used to say.

In the days to come, I made short forays into the surrounding area with Sandy, who, as a resident of Gettysburg, showed me a side of the place I had never seen, even after many visits. We would spend 3 or 4 hours out, then I would go back to my room and rest. I shopped, of course–Gettysburg has a great outlet mall, and it happened to be just down the road from my hotel. I love to visit the Chico’s outlet especially, and this year I bought summer shoes to replace the ones Mowgli had chewed to bits. I even sprang for new bras–I realized I didn’t own a single white one, and there were doggy-teeth marks in some of the old favorites. (Ah, yes, I lead such a glamorous life!) Janet returned from her home in New Jersey, and the three of us had a ball, lunching at outdoor cafes, checking out shops, and talking about the books and writers we love.

The meds did their work, and I was feeling pretty much back to normal when it was time to retrace my path to the rental car place, with the robot woman on Google Maps giving me turn-by-turn directions. I dreaded this drive, to be truthful, but except for one near-miss, when I almost sideswiped a van changing lanes in all that Baltimore-Washington traffic, the trip went just fine. (Thank you, angels. I’m sure the driver of that van is grateful, too.)

At each point, there was someone to offer help when I needed it. Polite young men hoisted my suitcases on and off the shuttle bus, for instance.

I had quite a long wait at the airport, so I decided to make good use of the time. I had a much-needed manicure/pedicure, read, window-shopped and looked back over my adventure that almost wasn’t.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. In this life, we have to be adaptable.

What did I learn? Many things. Most notably, that good friends are the best possible blessing.

Thank you, Sandy, Janet and Joe.

And thank you, my angels, visible and invisible. For all the unexpected twists and turns, it was a wonderful trip.

It looks like you made lemonade from what happened to you. I’m so sorry you had to go through the illness, but thankful for the friends who were there to help you. I’m a widow and one of the most difficult things for me has been going places by myself. I’m getting better all the time but it’s a challenge. I also am thankful for Google Maps on my phone. I use it all of the time. I love your books…have been a fan for years. Thanks for all of the hours of living other’s lives for awhile.

What would we do without friends? I’m sorry you missed your classes and glad to hear you are feeling better. Even if it didn’t turn out like you imagined, I’m sure you came home feeling blessed by the turn of events.

Sorry about your classes. I am sure things happens for a reason. Travel is hard on any person of any age. I am always very tired when I travel whether it is by car or plane or even bus and train. I have traveled by all means. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Need to take vitamins and some zinc to help prevents colds. Now that you are home I hope you get added rest. Have a wonderful week.

If you can get à book from “Mort Kunstler” title Images of the Civil War. The text of Jane’s M. McPherson. I’m sure you will enjoy this book. My late husband had a chance to meet him at the Harrisburg Civil War museum and he even sign his book for him. Glad you recover and had a good time in Gettysburg.

If you can get à book from “Mort Kunstler” title Images of the Civil War. The text of Jane’s M. McPherson. I’m sure you will enjoy this book. My late husband had a chance to meet him at the Harrisburg Civil War museum and he even sign his book for him. Glad you recover and had a good time in Gettysburg.

Sorry you missed your classes and was sick. Great friends are a godsend believe me I know too. I have been to Gettysburg once but I do want to go back only saw the highlights on a tour. I enjoy the articles and books you write. Keep up the good work. Phyllis

Well Linda I have also been to Gettysburg but thank goodness I wasn’t sick. I am so sorry you were not at the top of your game. There will be another opportunity I am sure and your health is more important to us. Thank you to all the angels for taking care of our Linda!!

Sounds like quite the adventure and so glad you’re feeling better. We do have angels all around us, we just have to ask for their help, and then let them help us!! Take care & keep us up to date with your travels & trials. I love traveling with other people doing the work and me sitting home enjoying it all!!

Glad you’re feeling better. And what a saga! You are blessed with friends and angels.

Concerning the luggage… After taking a wonderful 2-week Rick Steve’s tour of Europe last summer and adopting his one-piece-of-luggage mantra, I never travel anywhere with more than one carry-on and a small (really small) backpack). If it doesn’t fit in that, it doesn’t go. And I feel completely set free. I can manage my luggage up and down trails, stairs, anywhere.

Sorry you got sick and missed your classes but thank goodness for friends to help you through your ordeal. You seem to be jinxed as far as Gettysburg goes though. Didn’t you sprain your ankle last year when you stepped into a hole or dip in the ground as you were walking around the battlefields? Love the history of Gettysburg and can’t wait to read this series. Glad you are home safely and feeling better. Now to get those four legged friends to stop chewing your shoes.

The older I get the more I realize how much I treasure my friends. I feel that we get to make the family we wished we could of had sometimes with the good friends we are given. I agree that I am grateful for the Angels God does put in my path. Also, they teach me how to be a better person. Sometimes, as you experienced, the journey is that much better by not being as you had planned.
So grateful that you were able to “make lemonade out of lemons”!!
God Bless

Gosh I know it had to be bad to get sick on your trip. At least you had angels to take care of you. I can remember taking a trip with my son when he was about 4 and he got sick. We couldn’t find a childs Tylanol in the town we were in. I learn then to always pack those sort of things. I am so glad things work out for you in the end. Thanks the Lord of those angel friends.

You are to be commended on just the driving part. It takes two people to drive nowadays, even if you’re home in familiar territory. If I look at anything besides the road in front of me, I end up where I’m looking (almost in the ditch). Besides, I don’t enjoy traveling alone. Even if you missed the classes, it turned into some leisure time and all was not a “bust”. Better luck next time, huh?

You have the most delightful way of making such a bad time for you, interesting reading for your fans. Lol I am so glad for your angels, and for the attitude you had about it all. Also, I bet your babies are happy to have you home. Stay well!!!!!

I find that the unexpected is usually the most fun. I remember one weekend we took the kids to Flagstaff, AZ to see the first real snow of the season, we played and sledded down hills, we had a nice dinner, crashed in a hotel and planned to head home the next day…well so much for best laid plans…a snow storm came in and we were there for another two days. The kids had a blast, I was doing laundry in the hotel sink, and we were able to get some food but nothing was moving around town. But it was one of the most memorable trips ever. Kids are now 120 and 22 and they still talk about how much fun that was. Did I mention they were 5/7 at the time.

We are all blessed by your adventures… thank you for sharing! We usually only hear people telling of their successful journeys and less about the “normal challenges” life tosses our way. Hope you are feeling better!

I am sorry you didn’t get to go on your retreat. Health always comes first. Glad you have good friends to look out for you. Shopping with friends is always fun. So next time you will be more healthy to do all the research you need for your next book.

Well, sorry you were sick, but meant to be, since because of it you had an fantastic trip with cool friends & got to see lots of great things. All because of great friends & getting sick. Could have been left out, but look at what wouldn’t have come about if it hadn’t. Including some great shopping. Glad you’re better & the best always. This week we’re in the 100’s+ here in central California. Jo Ann

Sorry to hear your trip didn’t go according to plan and that you weren’t well. I always say when things don’t go to plan that I’m on an adventure. It’s all about how you handle the curveballs life throws you. God always puts the right people in your way. Blessings Linda

What a whirlwind adventure you had on this trip! I am so sorry you got so sick, but thank goodness for the Angels and your friends. You made the best of your time away from home. Your adventure could be one of the characters in your wonderful novels! Thank you for posting, even when you are not feeling your best! By now, I hope you are 100% well.

Wow, it sound like you had a good time. Sorry about your being sick. I have angels in my yard a beautiful lady angel and she is with me when i walk my pups in morning and at night too.. They say if you have butterflies in your yard that is angels too. Don’t know how true that is but it makes you feel safe . Have nice day and hope all is going okay with you now that your home……….

Wow,you had wonderful friends while you was on your trip. It is always good to have friends with you when you go off on a trip.
It sound like so much fun y’all running all over town going here and there and then you going back to hotel to rest up for the next day and all of the running around town…… Boy you have been every where !!!! That is great I have never been any place like you . You go girl ………..Have the time of your life now with your friends just have fun ……..I love to hear you talk about your trips so sorry you got sick …….but all is a okay now ……..

Linda, I just think you have wonderful friends and they seem more like angels ……….they where there for you when you got sick and took care of everything for you . Thank goodness they got you a nice hotel room so you could rest and get better.

Talk with you later, take care and don’t do to much until you are well ……